President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, inaugurated the newly re-constructed 40.4-kilometer dual-carriage Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan road.
Constructed at the cost of €50,000,000, the government through the Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, financed a road network which links Bechem, Dwomo and Techimantia in the Ahafo Region and Akomadan in the Ashanti Region.
The “Regional Route 66 (R66)” also links the National Route Six (N6) from Bechem to the National Route 10 (N10) to Akomadan.
Contract was awarded to the Gabriel Couto Rango Consortium on November 10, 2020, with workcommencing on September 1, 2021.
It was originally scheduled for completion August 31, 2023, however, granted a four-month extension due to unforeseen contingencies.
Other components of the stretch include 38.9 kilometer single-lane, 1.5km dual-section, 2.0-meter shoulder width, 16.8km concrete U-drain work, 7.2km trapezoidal lined drains, 56 pipe culverts, and 17 box culverts.
The construction works also involved a subbase of 250mm thickness of natural gravel, 200mm thick base, 50mm asphaltic concrete wearing course, and single seal, 10mm primer seal and 14mm shoulder seal.
A traffic light, streetlights, and 3km crash barriers have also been installed to enhance safety and sanity on the road.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the significance of the road and emphasisedit’s economic impacts on the regional, national, and international traffic, saying the facility had not only fostered economic growth and regional trade integration, but also enhanced agricultural activities along the corridor.
The President stressed that the completion of the road networkemphasised government’s commitment to improving the conditions of road networks nationwide, saying since 2017, every region in the country had benefited extensively from road infrastructure.
He proudly indicated that from 2017 to December 2023, the country had seen remarkable expansions and improvements in her road networks, saying from 2009 to 2016, the late former President Evans Atta Mills and former President John Mahama’s governments completed only 4,636 km of roads and five interchanges.
Under the current administration, the President Akufo-Addo said significant improvements had been made in the road sector, saying a total of 12,830 km of roads had been completed with six interchanges.
President Akufo-Addo explained the roadscomprise an asphalt overlay totaling1,936.84 km, new constructions spanning659.81 km, graveling, and re-graveling covering6,529.82 km and re-construction and partial re-construction projects totaling374.95 km.
Rehabilitation works span1,271.90 km, with re-ceiling covering108.24 km, as well as surfacing projects totaling1,948.76 km, and additional 35 critical bridge works.
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo said works were progressing steadily on 10 new interchanges, with five located at PTC, Takoradi, Nungua, Arjringanor, Flower Pot, and Obetsebi Lamptey Circle phase Two, set to be completed by the end of the year.
He said five interchanges at Suame, Kpong Barrier, Savanah, Gawenya, and Prampram were all scheduled for completion by 2025.
Describing these road infrastructure developments as unprecedented in the political history of the country, President Akufo-Addo said the government said the achievement showcased the level of dedication and efficiency in addressing critical infrastructure needs in the country.
He said the impacts of these developments extended far beyond mere construction, as the road networks enhanced connectivity, stimulated economic growth, and improved the quality of life of the people.
President Akufo-Addo said it was crucial for successive governments to build on laid down foundations by ensuring sustained investment in infrastructure to bridge the nation’s road deficit, and thereby meet the evolving needs of rapid population growth.
Nana AmpongKromantang II, the Krontihene (sub-chief) and Regent of Techimantia, expressed appreciation to the government for the project, and recommended the need to name the road after the President and christening it the “Akufo-Addo Highway”.
He called for the government to rehabilitate the Techimantia town roads, the lorry park, and requested an ambulance and improvement of infrastructure at the health facility in the town.
GNA
